Applying for Financial Aid

Financial aid can be overwhelming, but here at Minnesota North College we are dedicated to making the process as stress free as possible. We offer financial aid estimate service, assistance in filing the financial aid application, and review of forms for accuracy. By planning ahead, gathering information, comparing options, and seeking assistance from the Financial Aid Offices, you can start investing in your future today.

FAFSA Simplification: Launch of the 2024–25 FAFSA Form

There are major changes and improvements coming to the 2024–25 Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA^®) form. This redesigned and streamlined FAFSA form will be available by Dec. 31, 2023. This FAFSA determines your financial aid eligibility for the fall 2024, Spring 2025 and summer 2025 terms.

The 2024–25 FAFSA form will offer a new, streamlined user experience for students and their families. Applicants will be able to skip as many as 26 FAFSA questions, depending on their individual circumstances. Some applicants will need to complete as few as 18 questions, taking less than 10 minutes.

What You Can Do Now

• Didn’t submit a 2023–24 FAFSA form? Make sure to create your StudentAid.gov account—and remember your username and password so you can access and submit the 2024–25 FAFSA form when it’s available.
• Find out if your parent(s) or spouse will need to be contributors (contribute their info on your FAFSA form).
• If your parent(s) or spouse will need to contribute to your form, make sure each contributor creates their own StudentAid.gov account. Even if a contributor doesn’t have a Social Security number, they will be able to create an account when the 2024–25 form goes live.
• https://studentaid.gov/announcements-events/fafsa-support

How to Apply for Financial Aid

• Create Federal Student Aid ID (FSA ID) www.studentaid.gov.
  • Be sure that your name, SSN and date of birth are correct!
  • Here is a helpful FSA ID video from Federal Student Aid.
• Complete the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) at www.studentaid.gov.
  • A FAFSA needs to be completed each year you are in college.
  • This application is free and is the first step in the process of applying for federal and state aid. The Minnesota North College financial aid academic year is Fall through Summer.
  • Minnesota North College (Minnesota North) federal school code is 002355 for all 6 campuses.
  • The FAFSA is available in alternative formats and languages. You may find alternative formats online at Financial Aid Toolkit.
    • Click on “SEARCH TOOLS AND RESOURCES”.   From the next page, select your parameters and then click on “GET RESOURCES”.
• IRS Data Retrieval Tool is now available for FAFSA
  • It allows many students and/or parents to electronically upload tax return data from the IRS directly into the FAFSA.  This is a safe, secure and accurate way to insure the correct tax data is used.
  • This video will offer a FAFSA overview from Federal Student Aid.
• FAFSA processing time at the Department of Education (DOE) depends on how you apply:
  • A FAFSA on the web using an FSA ID, as fast as 3 days.
  • A paper FAFSA up to 6 weeks.
  • “What Happens Next” video will give general information about processing after the FAFSA is submitted.
• The DOE notifies you when your FAFSA has been processed.
  • Your FAFSA is also sent to Minnesota North College. If corrections are needed, we recommend that you contact the Financial Aid Office.
• Minnesota North College may be required by the DOE to verify your FAFSA information.
  • To inform you of verification the Financial Aid Office will use email(check your junk mail) directing you to your E-Services.
    • Click on “Financial Aid” to view your “Aid Application Status” in Next Step(s).
    • Note: If you have not used your E-Services account you will have to work through the process of signing up for a StarID and password to view the “Aid Application Status”.
• Students with a complete financial aid application on file by June 1streceive priority consideration for campus based aid such as Federal SEOG and work study
  • Files are reviewed on a first-come, first served basis. Students must be accepted for admission into an aid eligible program and be enrolled at Minnesota North College to be eligible for financial aid.
• Separate or additional applications are needed for:
  • Federal Student Loans for student and/or parent.
  • Work study
  • Scholarships